Three years of loving him, three days to erase myself from his world novel Chapter 211

Clara took a cab home. The warmth inside and the driver's presence offered her a brief moment of relaxation.

But the moment she stepped out and walked back into her apartment complex alone, the darkening sky and freezing rain sent her anxiety spiking all over again.

Making matters worse, Chase's threats echoed in her mind. She couldn't shake the paranoid feeling that someone was following her—she swore she could hear faint, rhythmic footsteps trailing right behind her.

The fear intensified.

Pale and panicking, Clara broke into a run. In her frantic rush, she didn't watch her step, her foot slipping on a rain-slicked stone. Instantly, her body pitched forward like a thrown ragdoll.

"Ah!"

Her scream was sharp, nearly drowned out by the heavy rain.

Her face was completely drenched, making it impossible to tell what was rain and what were tears.

She braced herself, squeezing her eyes shut as she prepared for the painful impact.

The next second, a strong grip tightened around her waist. A large, warm hand pulled her back, hauling her firmly into a solid chest.

Terrified, Clara thrashed against the man holding her, tears blurring her vision entirely. "Let me go! Let go of me! Let go!"

"Clara, it's me."

The man framed her face, forcing her to look up. Meeting those wide, terrified eyes made his breath hitch. His thumb brushed over the corner of her reddened eyes, his voice dropping to a softer, involuntary whisper. "It's me."

Clara's face was ashen, the shock still coursing through her. As her vision finally focused on the man standing in front of her, the panic slowly ebbed away.

Her lips parted in a breathless whisper. "Julian..."

Hearing his name slip from her lips made Julian's heart ache.

Seeing her like this stirred a deep, undeniable wave of protectiveness in him.

It even pulled him back to a similar rainy night years ago, when he was leaving the Somerset hospital. She had been just a heartbroken girl then, crying inconsolably because she couldn't bear to see him go.

He instinctively pulled her tighter into his embrace, his voice dropping to a soothing hum.

He patted her back with uncharacteristic patience and gentleness. "From now on, you have to tell me when things like this happen."

"..."

Clara cried until she was breathless, her eyes red and puffy as she poured out all her grievances to him.

Once her emotions finally settled, the realization of how intimately she was clinging to him dawned on her, bringing a belated wave of awkwardness.

A soft flush crept into her cheeks. Looking down, she tried to step back to put some distance between them.

Noticing her retreat, Julian raised an eyebrow. He caught her hand, pulling her right back into his arms, and asked with a low chuckle, "Using me and tossing me aside?"

A darker, teasing glint flashed in his eyes as he murmured, "Actually, that's not even it. You're more like a heartless player who got what she wanted and slipped right out the door."

Clara's face burned hotly. She shot him a gentle glare. "I am not!"

Julian let out a quiet laugh. Pulling a handkerchief from his suit pocket, he began to wipe her face, his tone carrying a fondness he wasn't even aware of.